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Hawks clash with Wizards in DC

Feb 5, 2011 - 4:07 PM (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks shoot for their 12th straight win over the Southeast Division-rival Washington Wizards tonight at the Verizon Center.

Atlanta is also 12-1 in the previous 13 meetings with the Wizards, who haven't beaten the Hawks since a 102-98 overtime victory on Jan. 11, 2008 in Dixie. The Hawks are unbeaten in the last six trips to DC.

The Hawks will play eight of their next 10 games on the road and are 15-11 outside Philips Arena this season. They have won two straight overall and four of their last six games, including Friday's 101-100 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Al Horford's two free throws with six-tenths of a second remaining in the game after a hard foul by Blake Griffin.

"It was hard for me getting up first," Horford said regarding the collision. "I think once I got up I was fine. I had to focus in and I knew I just had to take my time and make the free throws."

Horford finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks, who got a game- high 34 points from top reserve Jamal Crawford. Joe Johnson added 17 points and nine rebounds in a winning effort. Horford is questionable with a bruised lower back and Marvin Williams returned from a two-game suspension last night, posting nine points and six boards.

Washington has lost seven in a row and opened a four-game homestand with Friday's 110-92 loss to the Orlando Magic. Former Wizard Gilbert Arenas made his return to the nation's capital after he was dealt to the Magic in December and finished with 10 points, six rebounds and six assists in nearly 25 minutes off the bench.

Nick Young and Kirk Hinrich each scored 17 points for Washington, which fell to 13-11 at home and will also host the Bucks and Spurs.

"(Dwight) Howard was so effective," Wizards head coach Flip Saunders said of Orlando's All-Star, who had 22 points and 15 boards. "He really got going early, but when it really came down to it, as I said earlier before the game, the people that decided how the game was going were the other four."

Washington rookie John Wall returned to action because of a sore left foot and recorded 14 points, five assists and five rebounds. Former Magic sharpshooter Rashard Lewis had 14 points as well in the loss.

The Wizards were destroyed on the boards, 54-40.